Your Next Favorite Holiday Movie? The Starry Cast of Oh. What. Fun. Reunited for the NYC Premiere
’Tis definitely the season! On Tuesday evening, the boldface names leading the new Christmassy comedy Oh. What. Fun. braved the freezing cold weather for the world premiere. Dialing the festive spirit up a notch, Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center in Manhattan was transformed into a winter wonderland for the occasion, complete with an enormous model house with inflatable snowmen and Santa decorations, fir trees, and even a troupe of carol singers clad in bonnets, capes, top hats, and frock coats.
Michelle Pfeiffer arrived in a striking tailored ensemble by Saint Laurent—similar to the power suits she wore when fronting the label’s campaigns earlier this year. Pfeiffer and her on-screen family—her adult children Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, Dominic Sessa, and her husband Denis Leary—posed on the front steps of the festive home for awaiting photographers, as if re-enacting a classic holiday card.
Like any clan, there was an eclectic mix of fashion choices. Jones chose a strapless baby blue-hued Prada gown, Moretz wore a Louis Vuitton mini and opaque tights, while Leary opted for a suede green jacket. Sessa leaned into the theme in a red and black plaid cardigan by Ralph Lauren. “It’s Christmas—I’ve got to wear something fun and festive,” he told Vogue, adding that he has a whole collection of “ugly sweaters” he’s readying to break out this month. Also in attendance was Gwen Stefani—dressed in a billowing tulle gown by Vera Wang with a long train—who has lent her talents to an original song on the soundtrack.
Streaming now on Prime Video, Oh. What. Fun. is a “love letter to moms,” as Pfeiffer put it. “Most of the Christmas classics are about men and moms are really the unsung heroes,” she said. “So this movie is really about honoring them. I love that it s not just another holiday movie. It’s really a story about self-discovery and finding your voice—all wrapped up in a wonderful comedy.”
Pfeiffer, who portrays devoted homemaker Claire whose efforts tend to go unnoticed, admitted that she can see some parallels. “I overdo every holiday,” she laughed. “I try too hard and complain about why I’m too exhausted and why I’m not getting any help. But if anybody offers, I’m like, ‘I’m fine. I got it.’”
On that note, Moretz is hoping that the movie gives audiences pause for thought at this time of year. “This movie is all about being thankful and trying to say, ‘How can I help you,’” she said. “It’s really important to not take people for granted and to actually help them.” Sessa agreed: “I hope people watching are reminded that there’s always someone putting in the effort to make sure everyone else has a great time,” he chimed in. “It’s a reminder to appreciate the people that you have around you in your life.”
After the previous night’s Gotham Awards, Jones was in top form. The England native was explaining a beloved family tradition of her own to everyone. “It’s definitely a UK thing where you put silver coins into the Christmas pudding—then you pour brandy on it and light a match to set it aflame! And as you re eating it, the person who finds the silver coin in their slice of pudding is believed to have good luck for the coming year. It’s quite an involved process,” she giggled. “It’s a safety hazard with the coins too. You have to be careful or you can choke or chip a tooth. I was telling Jason Schwartzman about it, and he thought it was the craziest thing ever.”
The hundreds of New Yorkers who joined the cast for the screening were rewarded with an invite to a lavish after-party. Guests were transported by luxury coaches to the Twin Tails restaurant inside The Shops at Columbus Circle nearby, which overlooks Central Park. The candle-lit lounge was filled to the brim with poinsettias and Christmas trees, while mini nutcracker figurines covered every surface. Bartenders were kitted out in Santa hats for the night, whipping up cinnamon bourbon cocktails, as trays of mini hot dogs, shrimp skewers, and hearty meatballs did the rounds.
Actress Havana Rose Liu, who also appears in the movie, caught up with Sessa at the curved marble bar, wearing an elegant and voluminous Thom Browne gown. Across the room, Jones was in a huddle with the film’s director, Michael Showalter, and some friends. “It’s such a celebratory film that’s really silly, fun, moving, and original,” Jones concluded. “I really hope people just have a great old time watching it, because I had so much fun making it.”
Photo by: Dave Allocca/Starpix1/10Michelle Pfeiffer
Photo by: Dave Allocca/Starpix2/10Gwen Stefani
